Getting Geese used to strangers
Discussion
We went to the Highclere Country Show on Monday. Whereas most people might come away from a country show with a new pair of britches / wellies / gun bag etc, my wife somehow managed to get us to leave with a bootful of 7 goslings; the only concession I could negotiate being that 4 will donate themselves to various Christmas dinners.
Anyway, whilst they are quite cute, fluffy & dependant at the moment, I am fully aware that they quickly become vicious, b
d hard guard animals.
Is there any way to get Geese used to different people so that friends / neighbours etc can get somewhere near our paddock to look after them & the chickens when we are not at home?
Anyway, whilst they are quite cute, fluffy & dependant at the moment, I am fully aware that they quickly become vicious, b
d hard guard animals. Is there any way to get Geese used to different people so that friends / neighbours etc can get somewhere near our paddock to look after them & the chickens when we are not at home?
My next door neighbour had a pet goose... he was absolutely ferocious. 
"Wild Geese" the film was on last night. As for sorting yours out, when they are older and you want to round them up, just walk straight up to the one thats making the most noise and looking teh most ferocious. Grab its head and put your arm around its wings....this takes a bit of practice and you need to be quick. Once you have the leader picked up and in a headlock the rest will go quietly and you should be able to usher them along without too much bother.
Warning, I did get bashed about a bit the first few attempts so get practicing whilst they are still small.
Warning, I did get bashed about a bit the first few attempts so get practicing whilst they are still small.
I have had Emdems for a few years (they're the big stereotypical white geese) and as said they don't ever get used to strangers as such.
Their agression will increase/be apparent when the females are laying or sitting on eggs but this is normally only at certain times during the year.
Their bark is definitely worse than their bite and it's the hissing and outstretched wings that tend to stop people. In reality if you call their bluff more often than not they'll walk/waddle away (usally accompanied by a fair amount of noise).
If they do go for you you'll soon find out that they are surprisingly strong and that the serated beak is just right for hanging for hanging onto any exposed clothing etc.
In 3/4 years I've only been properly got twice and both times the solution was just to pick the attacker up - calms them down very quickly but you need to keep your face out of their way whilst doing it...
Their agression will increase/be apparent when the females are laying or sitting on eggs but this is normally only at certain times during the year.
Their bark is definitely worse than their bite and it's the hissing and outstretched wings that tend to stop people. In reality if you call their bluff more often than not they'll walk/waddle away (usally accompanied by a fair amount of noise).
If they do go for you you'll soon find out that they are surprisingly strong and that the serated beak is just right for hanging for hanging onto any exposed clothing etc.
In 3/4 years I've only been properly got twice and both times the solution was just to pick the attacker up - calms them down very quickly but you need to keep your face out of their way whilst doing it...
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